Platform-scale



(No Model.)

0. G. MILLER.

PLATFORM SCALE.

No. 271,726. Patented Feb. 6, 1883.

. 1' smm m m wawmuc UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

CHARLES C. MILLER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. 85 T. FAIRBANKS & 00., OF ST. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT.

PLATFORM-SCALE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,726, dated February 6, 1883.

Application filed July 525, 1882. (Bro model.)

To allwhom it mag concern Be it known that 1, Cinemas 0. MILLER, of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, (assigner to E. & 'l. FAIRBANKS 8s 00., of St. Johnsbury, Vermont,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Platformbcales, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to the ordinary form of portable platform-scales, which are mounted on wheels and adapted to be easily moved from'place to place; and it has more especial relation to such scales of this kind as are intended to be used out-of-doors, about warehouses, or on wharves, levees, or in similar public places, where they are more or less exposed to the attacks of mischievous or dishonest persons.

In the ordinary portable platform-scale used for these purposes, as is well known, a hollow pillar rises from the neck of the platform-casing in central position, and the pillar is capped by a light overhanging arm, which projects laterally from one side of the pillar, while the graduated scale-beam is hung in the fulcrumloop directly from the top of the pillar,where the short arm of the beam projects over the hollow of the pillar, and is connected with the steelyard-rod, which rises through the same, while the long graduated arm of the beam projects outward under the overhanging arm of the pillar. The loose weights are placed upon a bail projecting from the side of the pillar. Hence in this construction the beam projects altogether from one side of the pillar,which is unsymmetrical, and,moreorer, causes the beam and its projecting arm to extend beyond the base outline of the scale on one side, and thus renders its position sometimes unhandy and incommodious. The chief objection, however, is that this construction leaves the beam, its adjuncts, and the weights entirely exposed and likely to be injured by mischievous persons; or such of the parts as are loose or capable of being detached are likely to be abstracted by petty thieves, particularly the beam, which is a heavy brass piece having considerable value in their eyes. To prevent these attacks the beam, &:c., have sometimes been boxed in by fixing an improvised case or box to the pillar and overhanging arm around the beam; but this forms a clumsy expedient, is a foreign addition to the scale, and is inconvenient and not always secure.

Now, the aim of my invention is to so construct the scale at the outset as to overcome the aforesaid objections and thoroughly protect the aforesaid parts of the scale by a convenient, simple, and effective construction; and to this end I modify the construction at the top of the pillar considerablythat is, I make the pillar considerably shorter than usual, and I entirely dispense with the usual overhanging arm, and in its placeI surmount the pillar with aneat casing, which rises to about the usual height of the pillar. This casingis preferably placed centrally on the top of the pillar, so as to render the construction symmetrical and convenient, and it is sufticientlylarge to freely inclose the beam, which is not hung from the pillar, as heretolore, but from the said case, preferably from the top of the case, which overlies and incloses it. case, near the bottom, is extended a partition or shelt', which divides the case into two cont partments, the upper and larger of which contains the beam, &c., while in the lower and smaller one is hung an intermediate lever, which is connected at its middle with the steelyard-rod, which rises out of the pillar, while the free end of said lever connects to the short arm of the beam; On the top of the shelf, in the upper and larger compartment, is placed a bail or rack to receive the loose weights, and one side of the case over the upper compartment is hinged or made movable, so as to swing down or open outward, and thus permit access to the beam and weights when the scales are in use, but which may be closed and locked when the scales are outot' use, thus completely inclosing and protecting all the usually vulnerable or abstractible parts of the scales. My invention therefore lies mainly in the features here outlined, and also consists in certain minor features of construction, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 presents Across the a perspective view of my improved scales, viewed from the platform or loading side, which is the rear side of the beam-casing. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the beam-case with the lid and side plate removed to expose the internal mechanism. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the lid and fixed side plate removed. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on line as 00 of Fig. 2, looking to the right.

In the drawings, a indicates the platform frame or casing, which is mounted upon the usual wheels, as illustrated. b indicates the platform; 0, the neck of the platform-casing, and d the pillar, which rises centrally therefrom, as usual. All these parts are presumed to be of the ordinary construction, as is also the internal platform-lever mechanism, which of course need no description here, as they formno part of the present invention.

Now, in my improved construction I much prefer to make the pillar of cast iron, in the form of a square'tube, as usual; but this pillar is made much shorter than usual,and it is surmounted by a neat casing, A, which is preferably of about square proportions on the broad side, as shown in Fig. 2, but oblong in crosssection, with a fiat base and an arched top, as seen in Figs. 1 and 4, andis of ample size internally to freely inelose the beam, as seen in Fig. 2. This case is preferably set in central position on the top of the pillar, so as to render the construction even or balanced, as well as more compact and symmetrical; and this case is preferably made of metal, similar to the pillar, so as to possess strength and rigidity to sustain the inclosed parts and deter and prevent thievish attacks when closed. The case A is preferably made in a number of parts, mostly of cast-iron and partly of sheet iron. The base or bottom side,f, of the case is a fiat plate of cast -iron, with a short central neck or sleeve, j", projecting downward therefrom to fit into the top of the hollow pillar,-to which it is screwed or bolted, as best shown in Fig. 2. The end pieces, 9 g, are also fiat cast-iron plates of oblong form, with the top rounded or arched and the flat bottom provided with internally-projecting earsg, which are screwed or riveted to the base-plate, as seen in Fig. 2. The top piece, It, is a strong casting of concavoconvex form in cross section, its under side being concave and its upper side arched or curved like a roof, as it does, in fact, form the root of the case, and'is hence so curved as to quickly shed the rain which may fall on the case when the scales are left out-of-doors. Grooves are formed across each end of the top piece,in which the top edges of the end pieces g are socketed, as seen in Fig.2, and are there held by suitable screws or rivets. The tops of the end pieces are not completely rounded or arched; but the extreme top is cut off flat, as

indicated by the dotted line in Fi 4, so as to obtain a better bearing in the grooved ends of the top piece.

It will be seen that the top piece or roof, I),

is formed narrower than the base f, and has overhanging lips j, which form the eaves of the roof, and these caves are formed with underlying grooves, in which the top edges of the broad sides i and 7c are fitted, as seen in Fig. 4. The sides thus curve inward under the eaves of the top, which hence overhang the sides, so that the rain will readily drip from the overhanging edges ot'the top and run down the curved sides without tending to run into the joints of the case.

Near the bottom of the case a shelf or partition, c, extends across the interior parallel with the base, and is made of a strong cast iron plate screwed to ears projecting from the end pieces, 9, as shown in Fig. 1. lhis shell thus divides the interior of the case into two compartments, m a, the upper and larger one of which incloses the beam a, with its several adjuncts, and the stack of loose weights t, while the lower and small compartment, a, incloses an intermediate lever, 0, which is hung or fulcruined at one end in a loop depending from one end of the shelf a, while the free and opposite end of said lever is connected by the chain 1) with the short arm of the beam 21.

.whieh chain rises through an opening in the opposite end of the shelf, as fully shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The middle of this intermediate lever, 0, lies directly over the top of the hollow pillar d, and is there connected with the steelyard-rod 1, which rises through the pillar from the platform mechanism below. The levero and chain 1) form the indirect connection between the steelyard-rod and beam, which is rendered necessary by the symmetrical arrangementof the ease and beam relatively to the pillar, for it will be seen that it the case and beam were arranged all to one side of the pillar the short arm of the beam would be brought directly over the pillar and might be connected directly with the steelyard-rod, as is the ease in the more common construction. The intermediate lever and its connections relatively to the beam, &c, are not of course here claimed to be new in themselves. Now, the beam a, as will be noted, is not'hung or supported from the pi]- lar, as usual, but from the inclosiug-case A, which surmounts the pillar and preferably from the top piece, It, of the case, which is formed with an inclined downwardly-projecting lug, 8, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) having a curved hook, s, protruding laterally therefrom. The fulcrum-loop a of the beam is slipped over this hook s and lies against the inclined log 8, as seen best in Fig. 2, thus hanging and sustaining the beam in firm position in the top of the ease.

One end of the case is provided with an ordinary cam or holder, a, to hold down the free end of the beam when out of poise.

()n the top of the shelf '17, about the middle thereof, is fixed an elongated l-l shaped rack, t, on which the usual loose weights, '6, may be conveniently and securely stacked, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

IIS

LIA

The side i of the case, which is the rear or fixed side, is made in one piece, of strong sheetiron, screwed or riveted to marginal ears on the end pieces, g, the shelf c, and the base-plate f. The opposite or front side, k, which is the opening side, is made in two sections, 70 7c, the lower section, It, being formed of castiron, screwed or riveted over the compartment n to ears on the ends and base at the four points shown in Figs. 2 and 3, while the upper section, It", is preferably made of sheet-iron, hinged to the lower section, 79. The upper section, 70, thus forms a down-swinging door or lid, which may be readily unlocked or opened when desired, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1 and dotted lines in Fig. 4, thus exposing the interior of the upper compartment, m, and thereby affording ready access to the beam and weights when it is desired to use the scale in any weighing operations. 0n the otherhand, when the weighing is concluded the lid 70 may be closed and locked, as seen in Fig. at, thus completely inclosing the beam and weights, &c., and protecting them from mischievous or dishonest attacks, as well as from exposure to the weather. By this means the scales may be left out-of-doors-on wharves, levees, or other places-over night without danger of loss or injury, which is a great convenience and advantage in many businesses.

The lid of the case, as maybe noted, is locked by a padlock, 10, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) which may be passed through a staple, y, which extends from a lug, y, cast on the middle of the top piece, It, and which staple projets through a slot, .2, Fig. 3, in the lid of the case when closed, as seen in Fig. 4.

The lower section, It, on the opening side of the case is provided with the hinge-leaves 70', castvthereon, and the hinge-leaves 7c" of the lid 7c are jointed to the former by bolts, as shown. These hinge-ears k" are cast separate: ly and fixed to the outer end of the lid it, while along the inside of the lid extends a strong cast-iron bar, or, which is fastened to the hingeleaves It through the lid, thus strengthening and bracing the lid. This brace-bar an, as may he noted from Figs. at and 3, is so placed and formed as to overlie the stack of weights it when the lid is closed, thus holding them firmly in their place, and the bar is also formed with an overhanging horn, 00, which projects therefrom in coincident position with the pendent counterpoise or weight-receiver q of the beam, so that when the lid is closed, as seen in Fig. 4, this horn bears upon the weight receiver, and thus holds it down and prevents it from swinging out of position within the case when the scales are moved about. The closing of the lid thus holds both the weights and the eounterpoise firmly in stationary position.

hat I claim is- 1. A weighing-scale substantially such as set forth, constructed with a casing mounted upon the top of the pillar, with the beam and its adjuncts hung in and inclosed by said case above the pillar, and a movable door or lid on one side of said case, provided with suitable locking or fastening devices, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A platform pillar scale constructed with an inclosing-ease mounted upon the top of the pillar and placed centrally thereon, or nearly so, with the scale-beam hung in the upper portion of said case above the pillar, and an intermediate lever hung in the lower part of the case over the pillar and connected with the beam and steelyard-rod, the said ease inclosing said beam, lever, and connections, due, and provided on the graduated side of the beam with a movable lid or door, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

3. The combination, with the pillar of a platform-scale, of a beam-inclosing case mounted on the top of the pillar in central position, or nearly so, and formed with a partition or shelf, t, extending across said case, dividing it into upper and lower compartments, m a, with the beam to and its adjuncts hung in said upper compartment and the intermediate lever, 0, hung in said lower compartment, and connected with the beam and steelyard-rod, with a movable door or lid, 75, provided with locking or fastening devices arranged to close the upper compartment or permit access thereto, as desired, substantially. as herein shown and described.

4. The combination, with the pillar of a platform-scale, of a rigid beam sustaining and inclosing case mounted on the top thereof, having on one side a movable door or lid provided with fastening devices, with the scalebeaui hung within and from the top of said case, and connections extending through and within said case from the beam to the steelyard-rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, with the pillarof a scale, of the beam-inclosing case A, mounted thereon, and formed with the shelf 11 extending across said case, with the intermediate lever, o, hung below said shelf, the beam a and its adjuncts, hung above said shelf and connected with the said lever, with the side plate, It, fixed over the compartment below said shelf, and the hinged or movable lid is, arranged to cover or uncover the beam-compartment above said shelf, substantially as herein shown and described.

6. In a weighing-scale substantially such as set forth, a beam-inclosing ease formed with a rigid top piece constructed with a downwardly-projecting hook or lug, from which the beam is directly fnlcrumed or suspended, substantially as herein shown and described.

7. The combination, in a scale substantially such as set forth, with a heam-inclosing case and a hinged or movable lid arranged to open and close the case, of a projecting born or claw on said lid, coincident with the pendent weight-pan of the scale-beam, adapted to press upon said pan when the lid is shut, and thereby prevent its swinging or moving out of place i is bent or curved at the top into said grooves when the case is closed,substantially as hereunder the lips substantially as and for the in set; forth. purpose set forth.

8. In combination with a scale-beam, the CHARLES C. MILLER. 5 inclosing-case A, formed with the top piece, lVitnesses:

h, constructed with the overhanging lips j, ARTHUR J. WESTERMAYER, with underlying grooves, and with the sides JNO. E. GAVIN. 

